If we use "Casualty" as an example, we can analyze Heaney's writing to see if and how his poetry transcends its time, meaning and place to rise above cultural ideology and attain universality.

In 'Casualty," Heaney begins by describing the subtle actions of a "sly" fisherman who directs others' actions to his benefit, allbeit only in a pub. Heaney switches to describing a conversation between the fisherman and himself in which Heaney explains that his "other life" as an academician and poet is far beyond the understanding of the fisherman and then deftly turns the talk back to the everyday and mundane, with a reference to the political, "Provisionals" (IRA):

He mentioned poetry. We would be on our own And, always politic And shy of condescension, I would manage by some trick To switch the talk to eels Or lore of the horse and cart Or the Provisionals.

It is not until after Heaney has established this one man's singular humanity and the relationship the two had--universalities of unique humanity and relationship--that he mentions the issues that are particular to Ireland and "The Troubles."

He was blown to bits Out drinking in a curfew Others obeyed, three nights After they shot dead The thirteen men in Derry. PARAS THIRTEEN, the walls said, BOGSIDE NIL. That Wednesday Everyone heldHis breath and trembled.

It is by developing universalities of life, humanity, experience and relationship--the uniqueness of human life is a universality--whether it be the life of a person or a "small mammal" ("Gifts of Rain"), before addressing the deeper political meaning of his poems that Heaney adds appeal that rises above dividing cultural and ideological differences.